The Sanskrit word "Deepavali" is derived from Deepa = light and Avali = a row, that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. "Row of lights" are lit and colorful Rangolis are created to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and to bring prosperity to our homes and huge fireworks display will be enjoyed by all at the end of the day.

A Indian boy lighting rows of little lamps!

One of the most loved festivals for Hindus, Deepavali or Diwali in India is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated for five days. On the third day, Diwali or 'Festival of Lights' is celebrated. Fireworks and colorful Rangolis are always associated with this Deepavali. Diwali is celebrated with people lighting diyas/Earthern lamps all around the house. Lakshmi(Goddess of Wealth) Puja is performed in the evening to seek her blessings and elaborate meals are prepared for the family. Diwali gifts and sweets are exchanged among the family and friends.Photo from www.brittanica.com

Although, this festival is celebrated by different communities in a many different ways, the main idea is to celebrate the victory of good over evil, to bring a spiritual light into our lives. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the fun aspect of this festival like fireworks etc is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of their faith.More info about Diwali stories and rituals is here.

Well.. Here is my Pre-Deepavali sample thali, I am going to make this weekend! Usually, I make a grand feast for Deepavali like last year but I cooked so much for Dasara, I am cutting down Diwali menu a little this year. I might make some more snacks this week like Chakli which I have already posted. Enjoy!:)

Vegetable Bhath:This is how my mom makes the vegetable Bhath, which is a spicy coconut paste combined with mixed vegetables and then mixed with cooked and cooled long grain rice. Basmati is not a good match for this spicy masala, which has it's own aroma. Coconut-veggies masala cab be made early and keep in the fridge for atleast 2 days.

Cook 2 cups rice, spread on a wide pan and let it cool.Cook 2 cups of cubed mixed veggies like Green beans, Carrots, Greenpeas, Turnips and Cauliflower separately and drain water.Keep aside.Grind these with very little water to a thick coarse paste: 1 cup grated coconut, 3-4 green chillies, 4 cloves, 1" cinnamon/Dalchini, 1" Ginger, 2 large Garlic, few curry leaves, stems of Cilantro to avoid green color, 20 leaves of mint.To make it: 1. Heat 1 tbsp oil and ghee mixed, add 1 small onion chopped and fry until edges are golden. Turn down the heat, add ground masalas and cooked drained veggies, mix gently and simmer for 5 mins.Do not fry, just heat thru' the masala.2. Add this masala by ladlefuls to the rice with salt, toss gently until well mixed,adjust the salt and use only as much masala you need. Serve with a Salad.

Green Tomatoes Kurma:We had our first Spring frost last week, that means no more red tomatoes for me! But they were loads of green Tomatoes left on the plants. I made this Kurma with a recipe my friend gave me in B'lore, little different than my own Kurmas! You can use any vegetable you like with the same masala. Goes very well with Poories, but I made some layered Parathas for Kurma.

1. Chop 6-8 Green Tomatoes into big chunks or any veggie you like,peel and cube 2 small potatoes, keep aside. 2. Heat 1 tbsp oil and butter, splutter 1 tsp mustard seeds and 1 tbsp Chana dal, and 1 tsp Urad dal. Add all the Tomatoes and potatoes with a cup of water and cook until almost done. Turn down the heat.3. Add ground Kurma Masala, simmer gently until you get a good aroma. Tastes great next day. Add more water if needed but Kurma should be thickish.

Carrot-Moong dal-red Onion Kosumbari/Salad:A typical but easy and delicious K'taka salad, Carrot Kosumbari, you might have seen in many blogs and in K'taka round ups too. A very refreshing lemony salad to eat with spicy dishes, here is mine.

"Feather light" Onion Pakodas!:DThis is my favorite way of making feather light onion Pakodas, crunchy and tasty. It's also very easy to make in a hurry too. Hope you try!:)

1. Take 1 or 2 large red onions or Vedelia onion or regular onions, slice 1/4" thick half rings,put them in a wide mouthed bowl.2. Add 1/4 tsp of baking soda, salt, 2-3 green chillies finely chopped,finely chopped few curry leaves, few cilantro, 1/2" grated ginger, 1/2 tsp crushed Ajwain/Carom seeds, 1 tbsp crushed Coriander seeds to the bowl with onions, 2 tbsp hot oil, mix, cover and keep aside.3. Heat enough oil to deep fry. Now, sprinkle about 3-4 tbsp Besan/ chickpea flour on the onion mix and gently stir just to coat the onions with Besan. Flour should just clinging to the onion, do not add any water at all.Adjust salt and chillies.4. With a fork, pick a small lump of onion mix and drop in the oil with the help of a spoon. Fry until golden, Drain on the paper towel. Best eaten hot!!

Mysore special, Moong dal Payasa with ground coconut and poppy seeds: Hesarubele-Kayi-Gasagase Payasa or Moong dal Payasa/porridge with sweet ground coconut is my ajji's recipe which is typical Mysoorean style dessert. I love the grainy soft dal with a great taste of coconut and poppy seeds paste. I add way less sugar than the my grandmother since I don't like any of my desserts too sweet. Please add as much sugar as per your taste!:)

1. Heat 1 tbsp ghee, fry 1/2 cup Moong dal until golden and add 1 cup of water and cook until dal is soft either in pressure cooker or microwave or in the same pan. Add 1 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup grated Jaggery or brown sugar, simmer.2. Add ground coconut paste, simmer until thick. Heat 1/2 tsp ghee and fry 1 tbsp Raisins and Cashewnuts until golden and add to the Payasa. You could add more milk to the Payasa if it's too thick and Saffron if you need some color.Grind these to smooth paste: 1/4 cup fresh Coconut,1 tbsp Poppy seeds(pre-soaked in hot water for 5 mins), 1/2 tsp Cardamom seeds, enough milk to grind to a smooth paste.

Latha's "melt in the mouth" Mysore Pak:

I have made Mysore Pak before with my own recipe but after looking at Latha's golden Mysore Pak, I had to try with her recipe. Although, they didn't come out as good as Latha's, they were very tasty and had melt in the mouth texture just like we get in the sweetmarts in K'taka! Here is her recipe!Here is how I made it: Warm 1/2 cup Besan(Chickpea flour) in a non-stick pan with 1 tsp ghee. Heat 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup Sugar in the Microwave until sugar dissolves. Add to the warmed Besan, whisk briskly.Add 1/2 cup ghee and 1 tsp Cardamom pd into the pan, keep stirring on medium heat until you honeycomb like texture. Drop the mix into greased plate. Cut into shapes and let it cool.Enjoy!:)

One more look!:)

We lit our front porch with votive candles, a bit toned down than last year's, it was too cold outside!!:)

Kids and Arvind enjoying "noiseless" Deepavali firecrackers all covered up in winter jackets and shoes while mom took photos!!;D

And that's it for this year's Deepavali. Have fun this Friday with all the feast, family, friends and fireworks. Be safe and enjoy. See you next week with Bihari dishes!:))

Asha A happy Deepavali to you and your family.Thali looks wonderful. I am comming over. If i could i would :-) just to have the food.You also made the mysoore pak from Latha. I just finished making it half hour back.Shyama was going on tasting the spoon. I think yours looks much more niw than mine.Mine is for the moment cooling in the kitchen.Will post it next week as Hans is having few concerts this week.

HAPPY DIWALI DEAR!! what a beautiful spread! I too am keeping the menu simple this diwali! BTW It was my wedding anniversary on 4th nov. I prepared quite a few dishes but could'nt post as I was on the phone almost whole day with friends and relatives calling up to wish!:) I will post that soon. I am tempted to make those pakodas now!:)

What a lovely feast ashaji... enjoied the awesome pics.. Kash hum aapke paas hote: to enjoi the thali..:))..Happy Diwali Ashaji to you and your Family. U know how boring is Diwali in US... so as I said to Lathamma, I am planning to celebrate Diwali, by watching "Saawariya" and "Om Shanti Om".. Same question Ashaji: Do u follow Hindi Movies. You must have Dish or Direct tv rite?.. just curious..:) tc n cya..

ok... i have just recovered now. my goodness ashakka!!! what a feast u all r gonna have this weekend. plz plz plz mail me ur address. i would rather spend money and fly than sit here and think what to cook;)bookmarked ur veg baath. wishing u and ur family a very happy deepavali :)

Hi Altoid, good to see you after a long time!:))WOW! You have created a whole diiferent recipes there, sounds good too me! You too have a great time on Diwali!:))Paw print: LOL! Yeah, I expect very hungry Bears to visit or haunt me and devour everything here! All big and small bears are welcome!!;D

Thank you Seema. Didn't make much this year.Had too much for Dasara!:))Enjoy Diwali.

F, did it come right for you? I have hard time taking it of the heat at the right time. Latha is so great with Indian sweets. Can't wait to see your's!:)Happy Deepavali, enjoy.

Happy Wedding anniversary Latha. Why didn't you tell me before!! That is great!:) Mine is coming too but doing nothing special, will go out and have dinner with family!:))Mysore Pak was great Latha. I will try once more to get that consistency, will not give up!:)Enjoy. Sometimes, cooking a few dishes and enjoy more is the way to go, we have been eating too much sweets!:DPakodas are yum, try it.

Siri, you are right. It's so boring here around festivals. In Raleigh, they do it grandly with all the dances and food. Enjoy the movies! Ranbir and Sona Kappor both look great in the movie!:) I do have B4U here, but they show only old movies and new hindi film snippets all the time. I do get DVDs sometimes from Greensboro store.It's a hassle to drive back and forth, so I just don't bother! Have fun!:)

Deepak, thanks man. Have a great time there. You will have much more fun than us here. Nothing goes on here except food and few noiseless firecrackers!:)

LOL! Sups, since you are up now, I say thank you! After cooking all those for Dasara which I don't do usually, I am exhausted now! Thanksgiving is in few weeks too, so I have to cook for that.Too much eating going on here!:DEnjoy, Veg. Bhath tastes great with Knol Kohl too.Try it with Pakodas and salad.There is your Diwali menu!Have fun Deepavali with K, hugs!:)

sra, this Payasa taste great with Holige too, my ajji makes the combo for festivals. Vegan event is up too!! Hahaha!! Waiting for your's. Have a great Diwali!:))

Indo, all these festivals come so close together makes us all miss home. Specially on Deepavali, we all miss the noise of Fireworks and fun back home! Oh well, what can you do? Cook something and make the best of it. Hugs to you girl, enjoy with your family. Happy Diwali!:))

Hey Ashakka, Happy Diwali to you and your family as well. Diwali is one of the festivals thats on top of the list among the others that makes me miss home sooooo very much. Lovely post. I know I have read this before but read it all over again. LuvsSeema

Seema, so good to see you. Your school has started now, right? Busy time again for you.Hugs to you.Yes, Deepavali always most fun for kids and adults alike! Here in US, not much goes on but do what we can!Enjoy with family. Next time plan a holiday to India around Deepavali, that would be fun! Haapy Diwali!:))

Dear Asha,A very very Happy Diwali to you and your family. Hope you have a great one.Ok..let's get serious. You call this as cutting back on your menu? You are too modest. You have cooked up a feast there! Loved all the dishes especially the pakoda.Yum Yum Good.

Ah! the thali looks so delicious feel like grabbing some right from the picture.. im a big fan of pakodas.. tried once n was a disaster.. im gonna try your onion pakodas today and will let you know how it turns out. Wish me luck :)

A very happy Diwali to you Asha. That thali is just out of world... I wish i had it in front of me and was more tangible so I could feast on it! :) The pakodas in particular stole my heart away... so perfect and golden and onion pakodas are my favorite.

Such a lovely treat for eyes :) , and for my hungry stomach too :( ... the whole dish looks lovely, i liked the ideas of carrot anf moongdal kosumbari,very novel and healthy too :) . thanks for sharing. those yummt onion pakora makes me feel hunfry anytime :)) ....looks heavenly....WIsh you and your Family Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year ahead(Our Gujarati new Year- called Vikram Savant, starts from the Next Day of Diwali, so we wish that too... ) .

Enjoy NY Shivapriya. I think you can buy many Indian goodies in NY, better than cooking yourself. Enjoy and have a great weekend, hugs.Thank you!:))

Sandeepa, thanks buddy. You too have a great time this weekend.I posted that photo in last year's post. Click on the last year's link, you will see it. I do save some firecrackers for Diwali when we buy loads of them for July 4th. We can't use noisy ones here but just Sparklers etc!:)

HahaHa!! shn, a vegetarian feast for you! Nah! You should have a non-veg feast girl if you spend that much money flying here!;DHave a great time with your family too!:))

Kribha, compared to last year's, this is like poor man's feast!:DBut it's good to control, made too many things for Dasara. Pakodas are so tasty, making it again this weekend:))Have a good one, hugs.

Thank you Saju. These are just samples, got to make more this weekend. Friday is school and working day for the family, so weekend it is for celebration! Have fun there too, Eid wishes to you!:))

Ramya, thank you. Did my best, glad you liked it. Waiting to see all the Thalis too in all the blogs!:))Happy Deepavali, enjoy.

You are welcome Shathi. Try the Payasa, very K'taka dessert. You will love it. Enjoy and have a fun Diwali:))

Namratha, thanks!:))I haven't made this Payasa in a long time, loved it.Brings back all the memories! Smells so good too. Enjoy and have a great Deepavali. Mysore Pak was great, I have hard time to decide when to take it off!:D

Vee, forget about the waistline until Jan 1st and then go on savory diet!;DI feel ya, too many festivities at this time.Thanksgiving and Xmas next! Enjoy, Mysore Pak was yum. Latha has great skills, I still have to learn a lot from her about making Indian sweets! Happy Diwali to you too.Hugs:)

Thank you Sirisha. You too have a great Diwali, eat and laugh a lot!:))

Kalpana, thank you girl. Have a great weekend and Diwali. Yes, book a flight ticket too!:D

Musie, wish I could send you some too. It's a great season to eat and be jolly, huh? I know what everybody's new Year's resolution will be too!!;DHave a great time, hugs:))

Hi Pooja, so good to see you. Enjoy your Gujarati day too.We are all so different yet we celebrate the same Diwali with such affection!!Have a great time.NJ is a great place to live around Indian festival time.Nothing much goes on here! Have fun:)

A very very happy diwali to all of you, Asha! Thanks for tempting me with that wonderful thali:) I'll try the payasam and let you know. I'm still deciding what to make for diwali tho'! Have kept all my plans for week-end so my son will be taken care of:)

Asha, Happy Diwali.. wow you have lot of patience for doing so many varieties. Wonderful.. and very good pictures. Hope I can make atleast half of them at home :). Thanks for sharing the recipes, will definitely try some.

Thank you Meeta. Didn't get the Pakoda photo right, it looks lot better than in the blog. Hope you try, easy recipe.You too have a great time with family, do whatever you can there.I know it's not the same as India or elsewhere but just have to do our best! Hugs, take care!:))

You are welcome Shireesha. Try and cook a few delicious ones, doesn't have to be perfect! Enjoy and have a great time:)

Swaroopa, thanks girl. Glad you liked. Have fun this Friday and enjoy!:))

Thank you Pooja. With $3 per gallon gas, we do need all the wealth we can get to drive a car these days,huh?:DYou too have fun dear girl, hugs!:)

Remya, my family is not very traditional, so they don't expect anything for any festival. I do this so kids can remember these atleast when they are grown up even if they don't celebrate!:)Thanks, good to hear all the compliments though! You too have fun on Friday!

Haha!! Orchid,thanks! Yes I did, sweets and Pulav masala can be stored in the fridge and rest can be made on Friday morning. Easier that way. Enjoy your feast too. Payasa is nutritious as well,make it. Bet you will love it!:))

Hi BigS! Happy Diwali to you and your wonderful family. Nice spread as usual. Green tomatoes kurma has gone into my to-do list. I was hoping to get the recipe for the little samosas in the plate as well:) Have fun! How are your eyes now?

Hello Asha,AHHH.....I dont know for some reason I could not open your blog.I have been trying from last week(I get not responding mesage!!!!)Finally I made it today and wow! look what I missed The halloween and Diwali food.Yummy.The pics are awesome.Have a safe and Happy Diwali!Madhoo

Thank you Pushpa. I was not feeling happy bcos I didn't have any special recipes for Diwali. Glad you gals liked it. Have a great weekend!:))

Hello lil sis!:))My eyes are 99% healed, still have 2 appointment, but it's healing very well. Thank you. Enjoy the recipes. These Samosa are store bought, didn't have time to make more but one day I will. These are dal stuffed Samosas, taste wonderful!:))Have a great time with your family Hema, hugs.

Madhoo, few do tell me that they can't open my blog and most donot have problem. Wonder why? I tried to check all the settings, seems to be right. Oh well... headaches of these blogs! Glad you could come today!:))Have a wonderful time this Friday, hugs to you.

Paati, no more gold!;DI realized that it's a waste of money since I don't get wear anything anywhere except for few parties which is very informal. I will buy more books instead!:DPost Mysore Pak when you do try, mine came out okay(texture) but tastes divine. Enjoy, happy Diwali!:)

Shobha, Thali is coming your way all the way from the east coast!:DHey, they are so easy, you can make it I am sure. Thank you Shobha, have a great year filled with peace and prosparity!:))

Haha!! I made it somehow! Couldn't think of any special dishes since I have cooked most of them!:))You too have a great Diwali Sunita, hugs.

Shilpa, I made sweets already and Pulav masala is ready in the fridge to be mixed with freshly cooked rice on Friday. Pakodas, salad etc can be made again, they are easy. I just made a small amount just for this!:DHope you have already planned for Diwali feast, I am sure you are!:)Have a great time with hubby. My blessings to you, hugs.

moms vegetable bath is delicious balanced flavoursgreen tomato kurma is looking good tooi see a red onion in kosumbari ;)onion pakoras.......i need to make thosepayasa is looking deliciousi thought u added coconut milkmysore pak tastes great no matter how it looks sis .....i need to gain strenght to try it once ;)so have a blast of diwalihave loads of fun.i really miss my home this diwali

Deepavalia hardika Shubhashayagalu Asha. The thali looks delicious. I loved your tomatos kurma. It is completely new to me. I also like the way you call pakoda "feather light". Now if only we turned that way after eating that yummy pakoda :-(

Hi Asha, Wish you and your family a wonderful well-lit Deepavali!I have another update and request - I have changed the url to my food blog. It now is http://thebravecook.blogspot.com. Could you please update it whereever you have linked to my blog? ThanksP.S:- You are the only blogger I know who links to my food blog :)

A very happy Deepavali to you guys Asha! Cannot believe i know u now for over a year! I still remember u're last year's Diwali post :-)Super thali! I'm so tired after a really rough day at work that i'm ready to hit the sack, no energy to make anything close. Really wish NC was closer!Hugs and wishesLatha

Everything looks wonderful, Asha! I knew there would be a giant yummy spread so I went and put my laundry in the dryer while this post loaded!! ;) Lots to add to the must-try list here -- love that green tomato kurma, what a great idea! I am still looking at green tomaotes, too :) Diwali wishes to you and your family and hugs to you my friend :)

Manasi, that looks like a okay feast to me girl, compared to last year's!!;DEating too much thses days, got to cut down. Have a great Diwali, you don't need to cook snacks and sweets, you lucky girl!!:))

Thank you Vijaya. You too have a great year of peace and prosparity. Enjoy!:))

You are not late Rajitha, Diwali is tomorrow. Thanks. Try the Pakodas, have fun in Friday. Hugs to you!:))

Oops, did I forget to add red onion there? I will, thanks!:)It took 1 hr to stir that Mysore Pak, my arms were hurting for a day, but it's tasty! Enjoy wherever you are, what can we do but do the best, right? Next year, you could plan a trip to India at this time! Hugs to you!:))

Red chillies, tough luck becoming "feather light" after eating Pakodas but it will bring you a great big smile!!:DEnjoy, nimmellarigu Deepavali shubhashayagalu. Have fun. Hugs!:))

Siri, of course I will gladly link it. I am the only one who does? Really. I hope not.Have a great day tomorrow and enjoy your movies. Arvind and kids have regular work/school day, so not much goes on here at home until after 7pm!:))

Thank you Sana. You too a have great Eid day, good wishes to you too sweetie. Enjoy!:)

Latha, Deepavali or any festival are all in the mind. Just say a prayer and you are done. Everything else is just to please others, isn't it? Yeah, time flies. One year already!!:))Just relax, buy some sweets and snacks, tell kids about Diwali. That's all. Enjoy. Hugs to you!:)

Linda, thank you sweetheart. You are always so gracious. I will add you and your's to my prayers too tomorrow!:))My plants finally shrivelled up after the frost. Green tomatoes Kurma were little tangy to taste, had to add some more potatoes. Kurma Masala can be used with other veggies too. Have a great weekend, hugs!:))

Haha!! Sig, wish it was true but life goes on with such regular routine here until we go on vacation!:DHave a great weekend and Diwali. Best wishes to you and Siv, hugs:))

Thank you Bha. You too have a great day tomorrow, God bless you and your's!:))

Thank you Sri! I thought Thali wasn't that good and feeling a little guilty for posting it!:DHave a great day tomorrow. Enjoy:))

Thank you darling Rachna. You too have a joyous Diwali tomorrow. Have fun!:))

Shi, that's a great news, enjoy your trip to USA!:))Thank you, I bet you can get Diwali feast there too in Indian restaurants. We will have to cook ourselves here. Got busy this week, I will see you later. Hugs. Safe flight!

Thank you dearest Kajal. Wish you the best for coming year, be happy and healthy, wealth follows!:))Have a great time sweetie.

Thank you MT. Mysore Pak gave me quite a arm workout but tasted divine!:))Have a great Diwali, post some photo of Diwali there. You guys have more Deepavali fun there than here!:))

Yes I did manage to make the payasa on Diwali day today:) The poppy seeds bring a refreshing taste to the usual moongdal-jaggery payasam. I added more jaggery and pressure cooked the dal. MMMMMM yummy!

Hi again Asha, I'm going out with a friend for the evening but before I go I plan on doing some rangoli patterns with the boys. We'll also put lots of candles around and I'll try and make them something Indian, maybe a chickpea and potato dish, also a sweet rice dish that an Indian lady taught me how to make earlier in the week. Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali. :)

That sounds like a great plan Amanda. Good for you. I bet boys will love to draw the Rangolis.Enjoy the feast and have fun, hugs!:))

Hi Usha, thank you and you too have great time with your family!:)I will be busy cooking today and tomorrow. It's a regular day for kids and hubby, so everything has to wait until they come home on Friday!:))Enjoy, hugs to you!

wow!!! Happy Diwali to you and you family!!!! :) I love the moong dal payasam.....I will also try your onion pakoda recipe and let you know how it turns out....I made some murukku and some coconut barfi this year...Will try to post pictures and recipes. I am not sure if you know this sweet called Shankarpali but I tried that and something went wrong with the ghee or milk I used and it tasted terrible..Will give it another shot if I find time:)...

Thank you Smita. Payasa is so easy if you use pressure cooker, try it. Burfi and Murukku,YUM! I know Shankarpali, it's usually easy to make, wonder what went wrong! Have fun tomorrow, enjoy. Can't wait to see your goodies!:))

A very happy Deepavali to you and your loved ones dearest Asha. Among all the bright things I think of this Deepavali, one of the brightest is your blog. I love coming here and checking out your wonderfully chatty posts and your excellent recipes.

The Deepavali thali you plan on making for tomorrow is making me so nostalgic for home...every dish there looks so delicious! Have a wonderful time feasting on all the lovely dishes Asha and once again, wishing you a truly happy Deepavali!

Thank you Lotus!:))So good to read that, you made my day. I am truly exhausted to tell you the truth. So much sugar consumption until Jan 1st is over!:DYour plans sounds way better than me, have a good one with your family. Let us know how you liked "Sawariyan" next week. Enjoy, hugs to you!

Nice photo of lots of diya my dear...I also like diya. We are celebrating the diwali with lots of fun and decorate the house with diya. You made whole dish my dear. Where should I start to write? Mysore Pak is one of the favorite sweet dish.

Sorry dear asha!!!I didnt blog hop for the past few days as held up with some other imp things..:)Now that I am back....went thru all your recent recipes!!!Loved the haloween feast!!:)!!!!!to be frank I love the coconut filling version rather than the dal ones!..really amazing that you tried Mysore pak too!!It is not that simple and yours look so perfect,girl!!

Hope you had a fantastic Diwali!..Belated wishes to you and your family, Ashaji!!:)...Sorry again for not visiting promplty!:)

Reeta, fried stuff always attracts you first, huh? ;DIt must be so much fun in Delhi now for you. It's boring here, nothing happens unless we make something. Enjoy Diwali, hugs to you!:))

Don't be sorry Bharathy, I was just teasing you!:))Take your time. Our Friday just started, started cook just now, it must be somuch fun there for you. Enjoy and hugs to you. Take it easy, I know we all get busy!:))Happy Deepavali to you and your's, hugs.

Thank you for sharing all your tips. You are so generous and they are invaluable. I never thought of adding poppy seeds to moong dal payasa - the idea is sheer genius in its simplicity. Can't wait to try it!

Thank you Mona, just a few vegetarian goodies this time, my kids would prefer Thanksgiving dinner!:DHope it's too noisy there already with all the fireworks!It's boring here, nothing special other than few "quiet" firecrackers and dinner in the evening! Enjoy there!:)

Smita, thank you!:)Arvind is not that into any festival but I make it special so kids can remember Indian festivals, not just Thanksgiving etc!:))My ajji always makes this Payasa for Deepavali, coconut and poppy seeds are classic masala even for everyday Saaru her Mysore home. Enjoy. Poppy seeds makes you drowsy, so be careful!;D

Hi Mala, so good to see you, glad you are back!:)Thanks. I am just done with cooking, waiting for the family to come back home!:))You too have a great Deepavali, see you later. Best wishes to you and your's.

Asha have you posted the mysoor pak that came out well? It is only practice that makes us perfect!:) Today as I was rolling stuffed gobi parathas, I was thinking of my SIL satish and you!:) satish loves these parathas! You say you always have problem rolling them! I will try to post step by step rolling pics and procedure. I cut the cauliflower into big flowerets as for curry! Just going through your recipes to plan shopping for ingredients!:)

Renuka, thank you somuch for the feedback. So happy to hear that you enjoyed the Diwali feast!:))Enjoy your weekend.

Latha, I left you a comment after I tried a small amount and it came prefect. I posted the new photo, my proportion too. Tushar and Arvind loved it, thank you!:))Yes, tried aloo paratha but Gobi is always little difficult. Glad you are posting it, I will try. Yesterday was fun, we lighted the porch, I will post the picture later today!:))Say hello to Lakshmi from me, see you later girl!

Hi Ashakka u had a great feast.. Happy Diwali. i think come down to ur place coz both me and my hubby are not keeping well so having a very bad diwali infact! but just cudnt resist being ion blog.. great dishes.. thank u so much for the recipes..

Hi smn, so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Everybody seems to be coming down with cold and flu these days. Take it easy, Diwali can be enjoyed anytime we like! Hugs to you. Enjoy the recipes!:))

Thanks A, I will check it out. I did surf for a while in your blog, couldn't find it!:D

Thank you Kay. Hope you try, enjoy!:))

Hello Arun. Festivals can be celebrated any time we want to, it's all in the mind. Enjoy. We had fun too although it was a little cold outside. Not much fun compared to India, but hey, Who cares!:DEnjoy your Deepavali, see you later. Happy Monday!:))

Dear Asha ji,I have become a sort of addicted to your site.If i donot see it once in a day , I feel as if some thing is not going right. I tried your masala peanuts, badam burfi, the green tomato korma and keep lookign for other items. Your spread of the food items and also the detailed instructions make your site a must visit. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Asha- Fairly a newcomer to your site, I love to try different types of vegetarian receipes, from all parts. I was going thru various receipes,that you posted, I will be trying some. So many to choose !!!!!! will be in touch.Thank you----Mrs. Anand.

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Feedbacks from readers are always welcome! :)

Whenever you try any of my dishes from here at Foodie's Hopeor Aroma Hopeblogs, please leave a feedback if you can. Positive, respectful feedbacks and suggestions will always help me improve and learn from you too. But all the "unkind" comments WILL BE deleted!! Thanks! :)

Please do not copy without my permission, please ask. Thank you! :)

Copying and posting the photos or texts from any blog as your own without linking to the original author is unethical and not appreciated by any blogger. Do appreciate the time and effort we put into publishing these posts so others can try new recipes and enjoy. Please do not steal!!